Bush Cabinet members actions and issues


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Alberto Gonzales: Perceived as supporting abortion because of judicial rulings.     Alberto Gonzales: Ok�ed teenage girls� abortion without parental notification.     Alberto Gonzales: Apply law when personally opposed, like parental permission.     Tommy Thompson: Both pro-life and pro-stem cell research.     John Ashcroft: Opposes Roe v Wade, but accepts it as settled law.     John Ashcroft: Restricting abortion has been a hallmark of his career.     John Ashcroft: Would enforce laws against abortion clinic attacks.     John Ashcroft: Life begins at conception.     John Ashcroft: Supports �human rights amendment� against abortion.     John Ashcroft: Opposes all abortion, even for rape and incest.

Budget & Economy     Condoleezza Rice: US has not lost its edge; problems will work their way out.     Stephen Johnson: Approves EPA cuts in 2006 Budget, to protect competitiveness.     Paul O`Neill: Cheney to Treasury: �Deficits don�t matter�.     Paul O`Neill: Bush team not pushing Reaganite supply-side arguments.     Paul O`Neill: Committed to maintaining strong dollar.     Donald Evans: Globalization by private competition.     Norman Mineta: Transportation is key to enabling economic growth.     Paul O`Neill: Transform old economy to new economy.

Civil Rights     Alberto Gonzales: No express grant of habeas corpus in the Constitution.     Condoleezza Rice: Urges respect & sensitivity in same-sex marriage debate.     Alberto Gonzales: FISA courts do not apply in times of war, like since 2001.     Alberto Gonzales: 4th Amendment doesn�t require warrants in all circumstances.     Alphonso Jackson: Blacks are capable of self-advancement.     Margaret Spellings: Advocates against exposing children to lesbian lifestyle.     Michael Chertoff: Dead set against religious profiling.     Michael Chertoff: Take account of legitimate concerns about privacy.     John Snow: Extend Patriot Act-it provides needed tools.     John Ashcroft: USA Patriot Act is respectful of civil liberties.     Norman Mineta: Pushed for redress of WWII Japanese internment.     Christie Todd Whitman: Opposes the Boy Scouts ban on gay members.     Gale Norton: Top priority to improve Native American schools.     John Ashcroft: As Attorney General, upholds law; no longer an advocate.     John Ashcroft: No American should suffer based on skin color.     John Ashcroft: Opposed Ronnie White on qualifications, not on skin color.     Elaine Chao: Affirmative Action discounts equal opportunity and merit.     Donald Rumsfeld: Did not agree with Nixon�s or Agnew�s racism on 1971 tape.     John Ashcroft: Against affirmative action.     John Ashcroft: Blocked appointment of black judge in Missouri.

Corporations     Michael Chertoff: Use market-based incentives for security.

Crime     Alberto Gonzales: Found no reasons to grant clemency to death row inmates.     Alberto Gonzales: Reviewed 57 executions in Texas; no clemency.     Alberto Gonzales: Severity of crime supercedes mental health of perpetrator.     John Ashcroft: No racial bias in Garza execution nor in federal system.     John Ashcroft: Opposes any further delays in McVeigh�s execution.     John Ashcroft: Oversaw 7 executions as Governor of Missouri.

Drugs     Mitch Daniels: Alternative sentencing for marijuana possession.     Mitch Daniels: 1971: Arrested and convicted of drug use in college.     John Ashcroft: Zealous proponent of the war on drugs.

Education     Condoleezza Rice: Started after-school program in East Palo Alto.     Margaret Spellings: Creationism should be taught along with Evolution.     Michael Chertoff: Can�t afford to lose the competitive advantage of science.     Margaret Spellings: No Child Left Behind works.     Margaret Spellings: NCLB act is modeled after her reforms in Texas.     Rod Paige: No Child Left Behind: flexible non-extreme framework.     Rod Paige: Decentralize & focus on instruction & accountability.

Energy & Oil     Samuel Bodman: The days of abundant, cheap energy are gone.     Dirk Kempthorne: Need to work on US-based oil and gas development.     Condoleezza Rice: Diversify supply to non-carbon-based sources.     Condoleezza Rice: Increase refining capacity & domestic resources; use nuclear.     Alberto Gonzales: Kept Cheney�s Energy task force documents secret.     Donald Rumsfeld: If Saddam were in power, he'd be rolling in petrodollars.     Condoleezza Rice: Reducing our reliance on oil; it distorts world politics.     Samuel Bodman: Will be tough to meet US energy needs, esp. natural gas.     Samuel Bodman: Recommends conserving energy by minimizing waste.     Samuel Bodman: Concerned with future energy supplies & prices.     Stephen Johnson: We need to accelerate the use of cleaner fuels.     Condoleezza Rice: Bring to market transformational energy technologies.     John Snow: Open up ANWR to lessen dependence on foreign sources.     Gale Norton: Balance energy needs with environmental protection.     Gale Norton: Will expedite natural gas exploitation in Alaska.     Gale Norton: Have open mind on global warming; there�s no consensus.

Environment     Samuel Bodman: Uncertain link between greenhouse gases and global warming.     Stephen Johnson: Improve the Earth while maintaining economy.     Stephen Johnson: First task: pass Bush�s Clear Skies Initiative.     Mike Leavitt: Cap-and-trade for air pollution, as worked for acid rain.     Mike Leavitt: Applies Enlibra principles of moving toward balance to EPA.     Mike Leavitt: 500-day plans with 5,000 day horizons.     Colin Powell: Address climate change, but Kyoto too stringent.     Colin Powell: Booed for defending Bush's enviro record at World Summit.     Christie Todd Whitman: Set arsenic standard at 10 ppb in drinking water.     Gale Norton: Protecting national parks is a common goal & a priority.     Gale Norton: Decision makers in D.C. should listen to all voices.     Gale Norton: Will use all resources of Interior to make best decisions.     Gale Norton: Norton vows to uphold laws such as Endangered Species Act.     Gale Norton: Clinton designations of national monuments to be reviewed.     Gale Norton: Will balance conservationists� and off-roaders� needs.     Gale Norton: Never advocated �right to pollute�.     Gale Norton: Proud of working to protect California condor.     Christie Todd Whitman: EPA principles: local cooperation, clear science-based goals.     Christie Todd Whitman: Spearheaded preservation in heavily developed NJ.     Christie Todd Whitman: Supports �smart growth� against suburban sprawl.

Foreign Policy     Alberto Gonzales: Parts of Geneva Convention are �quaint� and outdated.     Paul O`Neill: Supports maintaining offshore tax havens for Enron & others.     Christie Todd Whitman: Discuss with G-8: climate change, health, development.     Elaine Chao: Established Peace Corps programs in Baltic republics.     Donald Rumsfeld: Sometimes leaders have to act without public consensus.     Colin Powell: State Dept shakeup: More funds; more career officers.

Free Trade     Ann Veneman: Involved in negotiations for GATT and NAFTA.     Mike Johanns: Work with trading partners to reopen markets to U.S. beef.     Rob Portman: Supports Central American & Dominican Republic trade.     Rob Portman: Steadfast proponent of the power of open markets.     Carlos Gutierrez: CAFTA is critical for US to remain competitive.     Colin Powell: Democracy flowers when trade is free.     Ann Veneman: Open markets help farmers.     Donald Evans: Free enterpriser who understands free trade.

Government Reform     Spencer Abraham: Defend constitutional thinking of America's founders.     Carlos Gutierrez: Centralize development aid for more accountabillity.     John Snow: Frivolous lawsuits only help lawyer.     Spencer Abraham: Oversaw Enron�s role in California energy crisis.     Norman Mineta: $38 million to promote seat belt use.     Colin Powell: State Dept. is under-staffed and under-funded.     Mel Martinez: In Florida, focused on growth management.

Gun Control     John Ashcroft: Unequivocal individual gun rights, but restrictions ok.     John Ashcroft: Cut record-keeping to one day for background checks.     John Ashcroft: Tough penalties for gun crimes, but allow concealed carry.

Health Care     Jim Nicholson: VA won�t audit 72,000 PTSD claims.     Mel Martinez: Relief for 40 million uninsured via small business AHPs.     Christie Todd Whitman: New diesel pollution control protects public health.     Tommy Thompson: Vows to protect Medicare, add drug benefit.     John Ashcroft: Voted against penalties on tobacco companies.

Homeland Security     Tom Ridge: A cold day in hell before he'd allow troops in the streets.     Alberto Gonzales: Backdrop for terrorist surveillance program is 9/11.     Alberto Gonzales: Surveil al Qaeda because this is a war of information.     Jim Nicholson: VA�s mission: serve veterans in life; honor them in death.     Stephen Johnson: EPA focus: Drinking water must be protected.     Michael Chertoff: Fighting identity theft needs more careful focus.     Michael Chertoff: Set guidelines for state and local governments to follow.     Alberto Gonzales: Justice Department�s mission focuses on anti-terrorism.     Jim Nicholson: We can�t pay the military enough for their sacrifice.     Stephen Johnson: Lead federal efforts on security of drinking water supply.     Samuel Bodman: Ties health of economy to waging the war on terror.     Tommy Thompson: Maintain vigilance against terrorism.     Tommy Thompson: 24-hour-a-day war on bioterrorism.     Donald Rumsfeld: Abandon the �two major war� basis for size of military.     Donald Rumsfeld: Boost defense spending by $200B over next 6 years.     Donald Rumsfeld: Missile defense is a moral imperative.     Donald Rumsfeld: North Korea & Iran could threaten US with nukes soon.     Donald Rumsfeld: Agrees with Bush on 21st century military reforms.

Immigration     Condoleezza Rice: Comprehensive immigration reform, while respecting law.     Alberto Gonzales: 3 out of 4 of his grandparents were illegal immigrants.     Michael Chertoff: Deploy technology and biometrics to keep bad people out.     Michael Chertoff: Added over 500 Border Patrol agents for border security.     Spencer Abraham: Pro-immigrant; treat legals & illegals separately.     Spencer Abraham: Against Anti-Terrorism Law; too hard on immigrants.

Jobs     Rob Portman: Trade creates more and better-paying jobs at home.     John Snow: Tax cuts and open markets are the key to job creation.     Ann Veneman: Spirit of farmers is the spirit of America.     Elaine Chao: Focus on emerging realities of technology and globalization.

Principles & Values     Alberto Gonzales: Served as general counsel when Bush was Texas Governor.     Samuel Bodman: Changing standards for vehicles would compromise safety.     Stephen Johnson: New EPA administrator has been part of EPA for 24 years.     Stephen Johnson: Academic training in life sciences.     Stephen Johnson: EPA goals: promote science to solve enviro problems.     Jim Nicholson: Long history of answering his country�s call.     Jim Nicholson: Served as Ambassador to Vatican, and chair of RNC.     Jim Nicholson: Grew up �dirt poor� and credits army with his success.     Stephen Johnson: Bush: �Lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship�.     Carlos Gutierrez: Entrepreneurial society leads to attaining American dream.     Alberto Gonzales: Wants to build upon Ashcroft�s record.     Mike Leavitt: Bases his cabinet, & his participation in Bush�s, on loyalty.     Mel Martinez: No Senate run in 2004, but maybe governor in 2006.     Elaine Chao: Strong experience in private, public and nonprofit sectors.     Gale Norton: Proud of being conservative and a conservationist.     Gale Norton: Promises to enforce nation�s environmental laws.     Gale Norton: Consult with affected people before making decisions.     John Ashcroft: Common-sense conservative.     John Ashcroft: Law is supreme, above his personal beliefs.     Spencer Abraham: Consistent conservative in Senate votes.

Tax Reform     John Snow: Tax cuts work to grow the economy.     John Snow: Permanent tax relief allows planning for future.     Paul O`Neill: Tax cuts coming just when the economy needs it.

Technology     Rob Portman: Work with China to stop piracy of US intellectual property.     Samuel Bodman: Technology has key role in winning the war on terror.     Christie Todd Whitman: $25M for integrating state environmental information systems.     Donald Evans: Census redistricting will be based on Evan�s (GOP) figures.     Norman Mineta: Transportation is key to enabling economic growth.     John Ashcroft: Microsoft has a monopoly share of the market.

War & Peace     Condoleezza Rice: Consequences via international coalition if Iran keeps nukes.     Condoleezza Rice: Iraq is investing in its security; US troops are coming home.     Robert Gates: We�re in Afghanistan now because end-game failed in 1980s.     Robert Gates: We�re in Afghanistan now because end-game failed in 1980s.     Robert Gates: War with Iran would be disastrous, but keep option on table.     Robert Gates: Iraq has re-positioned US from short war to long haul.     Alberto Gonzales: Congress� 2001 authorization means Bush power is at maximum.     Dirk Kempthorne: Participate in military funerals for soldiers killed in Iraq.     Donald Rumsfeld: Rumsfeld says there are ties between Iraq & Al-Qaida.     Colin Powell: We must stay the course in Iraq & provide more resources.     Colin Powell: Rejects Kofi Annan�s assertion that Iraq war is illegal.     Colin Powell: Powell says that intelligence on WMD in Iraq not �solid�.     Condoleezza Rice: War on terror will be a long and comprehensive war.     Condoleezza Rice: War on terror is broad and hence includes Saddam.     Paul O`Neill: Bush planned to overthrow Saddam before 9/11.     Colin Powell: Inspectors are inspectors, not detectives.     Colin Powell: The facts show Iraq has not disarmed.     Colin Powell: Iraq moved weapons to hide them from inspectors.     Colin Powell: Saddam has enough anthrax to kill thousands.     Colin Powell: WMD inspectors eluded by producing weapons in mobile labs.     Colin Powell: Photo shows Iraqi jet modified to spray anthrax.     Colin Powell: Iraq has at least 100 tons of chemical weapons.     Colin Powell: Iraq has been trying to enrich uranium.     Colin Powell: Intelligence shows links between Iraq and terrorists.     Colin Powell: Documented ties between Iraq & Al Qaida.     Colin Powell: Our future is frightening unless we act against Iraq.     Colin Powell: Saddam killed 5,000 Kurds with mustard & nerve gas.     Colin Powell: Post 9/11, we cannot allow Iraq to have nuclear weapons.     Colin Powell: Iraq close to facing serious consequences for defiance.     Colin Powell: We wrote Resolution 1441 to preserve peace.     John Ashcroft: Push anti-terrorism laws despite Congressional skepticism.     Donald Rumsfeld: Legal ban on assassinations limits pursuit of bin Laden.     Donald Rumsfeld: Expect terrorists to get bio, chem, & nuke weapons.     Colin Powell: Support Iraqi opposition while maintaining sanctions.     George W. Bush: $4M for Iraqi opposition to work inside Iraq.

Welfare & Poverty     Mel Martinez: More spending on homeownership & mutifamily loans.     Elaine Chao: Restored public trust after United Way scandal.     Mel Martinez: Supports faith-based charities based on personal history.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Alberto Gonzales Cabinet-2008 Alphonso Jackson Cabinet-2008 Ann Veneman Cabinet-2005 Carlos Gutierrez Cabinet-2008 Christie Todd Whitman Former Cabinet Secretary Colin Powell Cabinet-2005 Condoleezza Rice Cabinet-2008 Dirk Kempthorne Idaho Former GOP Governor (1999-2006); and Cabinet Sec'y. Donald Evans Cabinet-2005 Donald Rumsfeld Cabinet-2008 Elaine Chao Kentucky DOT Secretary Gale Norton Cabinet-2008 George W. Bush Republican Jim Nicholson Cabinet-2008 John Ashcroft Cabinet-2005 John Snow Cabinet-2008 Margaret Spellings Cabinet-2008 Mel Martinez Cabinet-2005 Michael Chertoff Cabinet-2008 Mike Johanns Nebraska Former Republican Governor (2005-2007); elected Senator 2008 Mike Leavitt Cabinet-2008 Mitch Daniels Indiana Former Republican Governor (2005-2013) Norman Mineta Cabinet-2008 Paul O`Neill Cabinet-2005 Rob Portman Republican 2016 Primary Challenger Robert Gates Cabinet Rod Paige Cabinet-2005 Samuel Bodman Cabinet-2008 Spencer Abraham Cabinet-2005 Stephen Johnson Cabinet-2008 Tom Ridge Pennsylvania Former Republican Governor (1995-2001); DHS Cabinet Sec'y Tommy Thompson Cabinet-2005